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Wines like Priorat

Dense, mineral Garnacha and Cariñena from steep slate terraces in Catalonia — one of only two Spanish regions at the top classification tier. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.

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What do you like about Priorat?

Optional — the results below already work without it. But “I like Malbec” is at least four different preferences wearing one name, and saying which one you mean changes the answer substantially. Only qualities this wine actually has are offered.

I like…

The firm, grippy structure How full and weighty it is The earthy, mineral side The savoury, meaty side

But it’s a bit…

too drying or too tannic too heavy too oaky or woody too peppery too earthy or musty too savoury or funky

Clear all

What these words mean

The firm, grippy structure: High tannin — the drying grip on your gums, like over-brewed tea. It gives a red something to hold on to with rich food, and it is what lets a wine age.
How full and weighty it is: Body is how much the wine seems to fill your mouth — the difference between skimmed and whole milk. It comes mostly from alcohol and ripeness.
The vanilla and oak: Vanilla, toast, coconut, sweet spice, sometimes smoke. It comes from the barrel rather than the grape, which is why the same grape can taste completely different with and without it.
The spice: Black pepper, clove, cinnamon. Some of it is the grape — the pepper in Syrah is a measured compound called rotundone — and some is the barrel.
The earthy, mineral side: Forest floor, wet stone, mushroom, damp earth. Widely described and much less well explained than wine writing implies — the sensation is real, the causal story usually is not.
The savoury, meaty side: Leather, olive, cured meat, dried herbs, tobacco. It is what people mean by calling a wine "serious" rather than "fruity", and it comes with age as well as with place.

Looking for something keeping the firm tannic structure, while moving away from too savoury or funky and too heavy.

Based on what you said

Ranked against the qualities you named rather than against the wine as a whole. The directions below are refined the same way.

Montsant

curated

The DO that surrounds Priorat, with similar varieties at a fraction of the price.

Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
A little less savoury or funky.
Substantially less heavy.

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
A little less savoury or funky.
Substantially less heavy.

Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
A little less savoury or funky.
Substantially less heavy.

Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
A little less savoury or funky.
Substantially less heavy.

Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
A little less savoury or funky.
Substantially less heavy.

Hawke’s Bay Bordeaux blend

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
A little less savoury or funky.
Substantially less heavy.

Uco Valley Malbec

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
A little less savoury or funky.
Substantially less heavy.

Pinotage

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
A little less savoury or funky.
Substantially less heavy.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.

Montsant

curated

The DO that surrounds Priorat, with similar varieties at a fraction of the price.

Expect: Lighter and less mineral, but recognisably related.

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more restrained in fruit.

Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more restrained in fruit.

Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more restrained in fruit.

Different grape, similar feel

Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.

Uco Valley Malbec

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more restrained in fruit.

Pinotage

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more restrained in fruit.

Fetească Neagră

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more restrained in fruit.

Argentine Cabernet Franc

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more restrained in fruit.

Change the structure

Same idea, different weight, grip or freshness.

Similar but lighter

Keeps the character but reduces weight, alcohol and density in the mouth.

Montsant

curated

The DO that surrounds Priorat, with similar varieties at a fraction of the price.

Expect: Lighter and less mineral, but recognisably related.

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more restrained in fruit.

Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more restrained in fruit.

Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more restrained in fruit.

Similar but lower in alcohol

Holds the character and the weight where it can, and moves specifically on strength. Note that below about 11% the choices narrow sharply, and below 5% they are mostly a different category rather than a lighter version of the same one.

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more restrained in fruit.

Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more restrained in fruit.

Hawke’s Bay Bordeaux blend

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more restrained in fruit.

Uco Valley Malbec

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more restrained in fruit.

Similar but less tannic

For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fuller and richer.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fuller and richer.

Barossa Shiraz

Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fuller and richer.

California Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more fruit-driven.

Similar but fresher

Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.

Refosco

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more restrained in fruit.

Blaufränkisch

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and lighter.

Graciano

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more fruit-driven.

Bairrada Baga

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more savoury.

Similar but softer

Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.

Toro

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

curated

Both are concentrated old-vine Grenache expressions from hot Mediterranean sites.

Expect: Softer and more herbal, less mineral and tarry.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less tannic and softer.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less tannic and softer.

The sparkling version

Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.

Sparkling Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more fruit-driven.

Lambrusco

Lambrusco scores closest to Priorat across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and lighter.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Priorat across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and lighter.

Montsant

curated

The DO that surrounds Priorat, with similar varieties at a fraction of the price.

Expect: Lighter and less mineral, but recognisably related.

Similar but sweeter

Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.

Touriga Nacional

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and sweeter.

Pinotage

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more restrained in fruit.

Touriga Franca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more fruit-driven.

Vintage Port

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

Change the flavour

Same shape, different aromatic character.

Similar but less oaky

One of the commonest requests in wine. Strips oak influence while holding grape character and weight.

Bobal

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more restrained in fruit.

Nero di Troia

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more restrained in fruit.

Refosco

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more restrained in fruit.

Graciano

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more fruit-driven.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less tannic and softer.

Barossa Shiraz

Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less tannic and softer.

Pinotage

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more restrained in fruit.

Bolgheri

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less tannic and softer.

Similar but more aromatic

More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.

Malbec

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more restrained in fruit.

Barbaresco

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more savoury.

Nebbiolo

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more savoury.

Syrah

Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more savoury.

Similar but more restrained

For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.

Nothing in WineHQ's catalogue makes this move meaningfully from here. These are the closest wines otherwise, but do not expect them to deliver what you asked for — the honest answer is that this style does not have a good neighbour in that direction.

Montsant

curated

The DO that surrounds Priorat, with similar varieties at a fraction of the price.

Expect: Lighter and less mineral, but recognisably related.

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more restrained in fruit.

Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more restrained in fruit.

Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more restrained in fruit.

Similar but more floral

Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.

Malbec

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more restrained in fruit.

Barbaresco

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more savoury.

Uco Valley Malbec

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more restrained in fruit.

Nebbiolo

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more savoury.

Similar but more savoury

Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.

Taurasi

Both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.

Barolo

Both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.

Brunello di Montalcino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.

Naoussa Xinomavro

Naoussa Xinomavro scores closest to Priorat across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.

Similar but fruitier

More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.

Touriga Nacional

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and sweeter.

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less tannic and softer.

Toro

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

Bolgheri

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less tannic and softer.

Change the place

Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.

Same grape, somewhere else

Holds the variety constant and changes the place, which is often a bigger change than swapping the grape.

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more restrained in fruit.

Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more restrained in fruit.

Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more restrained in fruit.

Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more restrained in fruit.

Same grape, cooler climate

Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.

Chianti Classico

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less tannic and softer.

Chianti Classico Riserva

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.

Chianti

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and lighter.

Montsant

curated

The DO that surrounds Priorat, with similar varieties at a fraction of the price.

Expect: Lighter and less mineral, but recognisably related.

Same grape, warmer climate

Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less tannic and softer.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less tannic and softer.

Barossa Shiraz

Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less tannic and softer.

California Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more fruit-driven.

Change the mood

Safer, stranger, cheaper or more serious.

A safe next step

Well-known wines that are widely available and unlikely to surprise anyone.

Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more restrained in fruit.

Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more restrained in fruit.

Malbec

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more restrained in fruit.

California Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more fruit-driven.

Something more adventurous

Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.

Montsant

curated

The DO that surrounds Priorat, with similar varieties at a fraction of the price.

Expect: Lighter and less mineral, but recognisably related.

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more restrained in fruit.

Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more restrained in fruit.

Hawke’s Bay Bordeaux blend

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more restrained in fruit.

A better-value alternative

Wines that occupy similar sensory territory from regions carrying less price premium. WineHQ does not hold live prices, so this reasons from regional reputation and demand rather than from a price feed — treat it as a lead, not a quote.

Montsant

curated

The DO that surrounds Priorat, with similar varieties at a fraction of the price.

Expect: Lighter and less mineral, but recognisably related.

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more restrained in fruit.

Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more restrained in fruit.

Hawke’s Bay Bordeaux blend

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more restrained in fruit.

A step up

The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.

Brunello di Montalcino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.

Northern Rhône Syrah

Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less tannic and softer.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

curated

Both are concentrated old-vine Grenache expressions from hot Mediterranean sites.

Expect: Softer and more herbal, less mineral and tarry.

Barolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.

How these are chosen

Each suggestion is scored across sixteen taste dimensions, weighted so that structure matters more than flavour, and adjusted for whether the wine actually moves in the direction you asked for. Curated links from an editor carry extra weight — but only when the editor tagged them for this direction. Nothing here is a black box; see the taste model for the full method.